Additional charges were dropped, including reckless discharge of a firearm, unlawful possession of a weapon and defacing the identification markings on a firearm.

A Crystal Lake police officer was on foot patrol about 1:45 a.m. July 31 when he heard what was thought to be several gunshots from the area of Virginia Road and Teckler Boulevard near Jewel-Osco, according to the department.

A search of the area did not turn up anything, but information gathered the next day identified Ratcliff as the alleged shooter.

The shots in an undeveloped lot did not cause any damage or injuries.

Police obtained a warrant to search Ratcliff’s apartment in the 600 block of Virginia Road and seized a .40-caliber Ruger handgun, a safe containing drugs and more than $7,000 cash.

Ratcliff was charged in 2004, 2006 and 2007 with counts that included drug offenses and armed robbery with a firearm. In 2007, he was sentenced to eight years in prison for delivery of a controlled substance, but was recommended to attend a boot camp instead of incarceration.

Ratcliff was charged in 2009 with criminal sexual assault and pleaded guilty to obstructing justice in that case.